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Abstract
This paper reviews India’s defence policy over fifty years since independence, focusing on institutional frameworks and civil-military relations. It examines the evolution of doctrine, planning, and procurement, and evaluates challenges such as modernization gaps, bureaucratic inertia, and budget constraints. The study highlights lessons from wars, crises, and reforms, and their implications for regional security.
Full Text
The body begins by outlining the constitutional framework of defence management. Section One traces strategic doctrine shifts, from Nehruvian restraint to post-1971 assertiveness. Section Two reviews procurement and modernization: indigenous capacity, import dependence, and organizational reforms. Section Three analyzes civil-military dynamics, including the balance between military advice and political oversight. Section Four considers the impact of conflicts—1962, 1965, 1971, Kargil—on institutional learning. Section Five looks at contemporary reforms: joint commands, DRDO performance, and private sector participation. The conclusion distills long-term lessons for strategic autonomy.